Shadow problems when using Speedlight

[happysnappy]

While using my 420ex speedlight at the weekend, I had again the problems I always seem to have-shadows behind the subject.
I was photographing some friends & tried bouncing the flash off the ceiling, reducing the power but still always had the same horrible dark shadows around them. Moving them further away from the wall wasn't possible due to location.
Is there anything that could help this easily, or is it just one of those things that can't be avoided without a better lighting set up?
As you can probably tell, I don't often use flash-think it's the 3rd time it's ever been out of my bag!

 

[Fragglerock]

if they are tight up against the wall then it is going to be hard to hide the shadows.

Possibly bouncing to the side or right behind you (depending on where the white wall is and if the flash will bend that way!)

a "better bounce card" can help slightly too. http://www.abetterbouncecard.com/

 

[Merovingian]

Flash fill / reflector fill the wall.

 

[Munchkinn]

The only way to reduce the harshness of shadows if to increase the size of the lighting source. To do that you either need to bounce the light, or use some type of diffuser like an umbrella or softbox etc.